March 29, 2006

Expression of gratitude by the family of Lennart Meri

At 18.00 on 29 March two years ago, exactly at the moment when Estonia officially became a member of NATO, Lennart Meri hoisted the alliance’s flag in his home yard. Estonia will never be alone again, Lennart Meri said on that day, his birthday, in the midst of Estonia’s destiny and the beauty of history.

Now we are thanking all those thousands of people whose compassion has made us confident that we were never alone when saying goodbye to our husband, father, grandfather and brother. We thank the conscientious and industrious Estonian state officials who helped organise the President’s funeral in a way that is worthy of a Nordic European country.

We thank the Estonian Police and Defence Forces who helped the mourners and escorted the late President with dignified solemnity and discrete meekness.

We thank the residents of Viimsi and Nõmme who paid their last respects to the traveller so devoted to his homes.

We thank the representatives of all confessions of faith who sent Lennart Meri on his final journey in the Kaarli Church.

We are moved and grateful to all those who shared our mourning and who have already extended their support to making Lennart Meri’s ideas last through the objectives of his foundation.

We thank, from the bottom of our hearts, all of our friends here and throughout the world who joined us in action and in their thoughts upon Lennart Meri’s parting.

Lennart Meri wanted to see a wakeful and smiling Estonia that is never alone again. It’s in our hands now ! Thank you.